The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-01-15
Letter from Ohio.
Tueffespondenco CT the Democratic Advocated

CANAL DOVER, January IL, 1887.
MEssRs. EDITORS I'm letter addressed
to you some months ago | think | closed with
the promise that would sometime give you
a little sketch of this portion of Ohio, con-
nected, as it has been in the past, through
many of its earlier settlers, with Maryland,
and especially with Carroll county. In this
particular it would perhaps be interesting to
some of your older readers, who may still re-
member some of the individuals whose names
| shall mention. Eighty four years ago two
gentlemen, Mr.. Jesse Slingluf, then of Balti-
more, but later of Carroll county, and Mr..
Christian Dearborn, of Adams county, Pa,
thoroughly equipped, with saddle bags, leg
gings, &C., mounted their horses for u journey
of 400 miles, into what was then the wilds of
the great Northwest, for the purpose of pur-
chasing lands Arriving u. the Ohio river,
and crossing near Wheeling, they continued on
due west for several days, until, reaching the
west bank of the Tuscarawas river, then called
the Muskingum, they could command from
this elevation one of the most pleasing and
picturesque landscape views to be found any
where in all this beautiful valley. There can
be no exaggeratiou of the Neutrality-suspicious.
| ing the plains east, south and west, swept on
the one side by the Tuscarawas, on the other
| by the waters of Sugar Creek, and all around
spring lofty hills Night they not, as they
thus stood and viewed these natural beauties
of nature, have exclaimed Eureka, II have
found it, Our hardy travellers then direct.
ed their course north, to what is now known
as Myers Lake. They arrived there in the
evening, tired and hungry, needing rest and
food. Wearied as they were, the scene before
them was most charming. There was the
lake, on whose ripping surface the sun was
| inst thousands nj
wild fowl were feeding along the shore
the bank was covered with flowers of the
fairest hue and shrubbery of the deepest
green, all glistening in the summers evening
dew like diamonds and pearls, filling the air
with perfume. 1t was beautiful and the
travellers laid themselves down to dream of
future homes. They slept. Suddenly this
rest was broken. Scores of wolves were
bowling around them. From every side the
glaring eyes of these savage animals were
| fixed on them. No safety but by flight.
Horses were quickly saddled and mounted.
1t was three miles to settler cabin. Riding
short distance along the lake, the hungry
wolves dashed forward in their front. They
suddenly turned their horses right about and
galloped for an opening in the woods, and
pushed for the settlers home. The furious
wolves increased in numbers; following up the
track, now spread themselves in front, on
either flank, in the rear. They gather closer
now; their hot breath is almost felt as it
flashes from their hungry threats. The light
from the log fires of the settler came in view
ten minutes more and they are safe. Sud
denly huge black wolf sprang at the 4ank Of
Deardorf's horse. A cutting stroke from
Deardorff's heavy whip repealed him, but just
then the horse, stumbling, fell upon log and
threw his rider overhis head. Slingluff came
yelling loudly to the rescue, startling the ami
mails with the unusual sound and enabling
his companion TO remount, when both were
soon within the circle of the settler clearing
and safe.' Such incidents were frequent in
those days.
After some further investigation of what
was then territorial soil, they returned to
Maryland. Several years later they completed
the purchase of 2, ITS acres of this Tuscarawas
valley land for S4,622. They Immediately
laid out town, and advanced it with first Il
grist mill, which was patronized by settlers for
distvaSSa-nf forty miles; then tannerv and
store. UDSsed other Improvements
were pwn of some Importance
was t Hoped. During these
years e trequsntu7Tsfts to The
valley, gain in his
private b26 Mr.. s.
d. erous interests in
anu VINO was soon IOiOWeu
D1nger brother, Joseph. a graduate
Ile Medical College of Baltimore. The
brothers, becoming attached to the town and
country, decided to make it their permanent
home The doctor married Miss Elizabeth
Jones, of Liberty, Nd, and George for his
second wife married Miss Mary A, sister of
David and Augustus Shrver, of Carroll
county. The brothers lived to see the great
change that was developed in the country, and
enjoyed in retirement and ease the wealth
that year by year was increased through the
rapid growth in the value of their lands. A
good portion of this original purchase of Jesse
S. is owned by the heirs of George and Joseph,
twenty-five acres of which would now sell for
more money than the entire 2, l75 originally
cost g,
The Tuscarayas Valley is about Is miles
long, and varies from onehalf to two miles in
width, was originally covered with a low
bushy growth, with very few large trees. The
soil is a gravelly loan, strongly impregnated
with lime, of great fertility, easy to farm, and
q sure crop producer. 1t lies from thirty to
forty feet above the river, making a dry and
healthy country. The pioneer settlers had
very peculiar ideas in relation to the strength
and fertility of the plain lands. From their
general appearance (being almost destitute of
large trees) they were pronounced barren, and
the first cearings were made in the hills,
where large timber was more abundant.
Among the early settlers from Carroll
county, Nd, persons who became identified
with the development and success of the town,
were the Eckers, Sponslers, GARDENERS, Whit
rodes, Stansburys and Dorseys. Mr.. John
! Criswel, when young man on Pipe Creek,
was employed by Mr.. Slingluf as overseer of
his farm, and through whose representation
of the advantages of Western life for a young
man, reached the banks of the Tascarawas
about 1890. He died only u few years ago in
very comfortable circumstances. Mr.. Samuel
Kuhn, of Westminster, was another early ar
rival He is still living, and enjoying the
quiet of a well-to do farmer. Also Mr.. Samuel
Haines, of New Windsor, miller by trade,
is still living. Then came the Stocksdales,
| from near Reisterstown. They all have good
farms. Perry's team can be seen almost
daily, drawing stone coal into town from his
bank Coal is now worth $1.50 per ton de.
livered. What will Westminster people say
to that? Pretty cheap fuel this cold weather.
In connection with this | might say that wood
of the best quality, such as beech, maple,
white oak, &C., can be had in any quantity
simply for the cutting. There is no wood
consumed here except in the burning of brick.
In later years came Mr.. D. D. Bowney, from
near Liberty, who purchased large tract OF
land and was quite successful farmer, His
eldest daughter is now Mrs. Harry Boyle
could mention others, but am really fright.
! ened at the length of this letter, and if you